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1.
Lancet ; 403(10427): 619-631, 2024 Feb 17.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38342128

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Placental growth factor (PlGF)-based testing has high diagnostic accuracy for predicting pre-eclampsia needing delivery, significantly reducing time to diagnosis and severe maternal adverse outcomes. The clinical benefit of repeat PlGF-based testing is unclear. We aimed to determine whether repeat PlGF-based testing (using a clinical management algorithm and nationally recommended thresholds) reduces adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnant individuals with suspected preterm pre-eclampsia. METHODS: In this multicentre, parallel-group, superiority, randomised controlled trial, done in 22 maternity units across England, Scotland, and Wales, we recruited women aged 18 years or older with suspected pre-eclampsia between 22 weeks and 0 days of gestation and 35 weeks and 6 days of gestation. Women were randomly assigned (1:1) to revealed repeat PlGF-based testing or concealed repeat testing with usual care. The intervention was not masked to women or partners, or clinicians or data collectors, due to the nature of the trial. The trial statistician was masked to intervention allocation. The primary outcome was a perinatal composite of stillbirth, early neonatal death, or neonatal unit admission. The primary analysis was by the intention-to-treat principle, with a per-protocol analysis restricted to women managed according to their allocation group. The trial was prospectively registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN 85912420. FINDINGS: Between Dec 17, 2019, and Sept 30, 2022, 1253 pregnant women were recruited and randomly assigned treatment; one patient was excluded due to randomisation error. 625 women were allocated to revealed repeat PlGF-based testing and 627 women were allocated to usual care with concealed repeat PlGF-based testing (mean age 32·3 [SD 5·7] years; 879 [70%] white). One woman in the concealed repeat PlGF-based testing group was lost to follow-up. There was no significant difference in the primary perinatal composite outcome between the revealed repeat PlGF-based testing group (195 [31·2%]) of 625 women) compared with the concealed repeat PlGF-based testing group (174 [27·8%] of 626 women; relative risk 1·21 [95% CI 0·95-1·33]; p=0·18). The results from the per-protocol analysis were similar. There were four serious adverse events in the revealed repeat PlGF-based testing group and six in the concealed repeat PlGF-based testing group; all serious adverse events were deemed unrelated to the intervention by the site principal investigators and chief investigator. INTERPRETATION: Repeat PlGF-based testing in pregnant women with suspected pre-eclampsia was not associated with improved perinatal outcomes. In a high-income setting with a low prevalence of adverse outcomes, universal, routine repeat PlGF-based testing of all individuals with suspected pre-eclampsia is not recommended. FUNDING: Tommy's Charity, Jon Moulton Charitable Trust, and National Institute for Health and Care Research Guy's and St Thomas' Biomedical Research Centre.


Asunto(s)
Loros , Preeclampsia , Recién Nacido , Animales , Embarazo , Femenino , Humanos , Adulto , Preeclampsia/diagnóstico , Factor de Crecimiento Placentario , Parto , Mortinato/epidemiología
2.
Clin Diabetes ; 42(2): 223-231, 2024.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38694241

RESUMEN

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes and the leading cause of blindness globally. Although diabetes-related eye exams are widely recognized as an effective method for early detection of DR, which can help to prevent eventual vision loss, adherence to screening exams in the United States is suboptimal. This article describes a quality improvement project to increase DR screening rates and increase knowledge and awareness of DR in adults with type 2 diabetes in a primary care setting using mobile DR screening units. This project addressed gaps of care and demonstrated that primary care settings can increase access to DR screening through a patient-centered process and thereby help to prevent irreversible outcomes of DR and improve quality of life.

3.
Support Care Cancer ; 31(7): 436, 2023 Jul 03.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37395859

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: This study asked consumers (patients, carers) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) to identify the most important symptoms for adults with cancer and potential treatment interventions. METHODS: A modified Delphi study was conducted involving two rounds of electronic surveys based on prevalent cancer symptoms identified from the literature. Round 1 gathered information on participant demographics, opinions and/or experience on cancer symptom frequency and impact, and suggestions for interventions and/or service delivery models for further research to improve management of cancer symptoms. In Round 2, respondents ranked the importance of the top ten interventions identified in Round 1. In Round 3, separate expert panels of consumers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) attempted to reach consensus on the symptoms and interventions previously identified. RESULTS: Consensus was reached for six symptoms across both groups: fatigue, constipation, diarrhoea, incontinence, and difficulty with urination. Notably, fatigue was the only symptom to reach consensus across both groups in Round 1. Similarly, consensus was reached for six interventions across both groups. These were the following: medicinal cannabis, physical activity, psychological therapies, non-opioid interventions for pain, opioids for breathlessness and cough, and other pharmacological interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Consumers and HCPs prioritise differently; however, the symptoms and interventions that reached consensus provide a basis for future research. Fatigue should be considered a high priority given its prevalence and its influence on other symptoms. The lack of consumer consensus indicates the uniqueness of their experience and the need for a patient-centred approach. Understanding individual consumer experience is important when planning research into better symptom management.


Asunto(s)
Neoplasias , Humanos , Adulto , Técnica Delphi , Nueva Zelanda , Australia , Neoplasias/complicaciones , Neoplasias/terapia , Proyectos de Investigación , Fatiga/etiología , Fatiga/terapia
4.
Postgrad Med J ; 99(1176): 1052-1057, 2023 Sep 21.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37001168

RESUMEN

It is well known that the prevalence of heart failure (HF) is high and continues to grow. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, although initially developed as a therapy for type 2 diabetes, have been found to be beneficial in patients with HF, regardless of diabetic status. Given the clinical benefit demonstrated in recent large randomized clinical trials in those with HF, they have been rapidly incorporated into clinical practice and adopted by the national guidelines hot off the press. SGLT2 inhibitors are now recommended for patients with symptomatic HF, with any ejection fraction. These medications are generally very well tolerated by patients, and adverse effects include genital and soft tissue infections, euglycemic ketoacidosis, and volume depletion. SGLT2 inhibitors have now become a pillar of the pharmacologic treatment of HF, thus providers should be familiar with their use for not only those with type 2 diabetes, but also those with HF.


Asunto(s)
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Insuficiencia Cardíaca , Inhibidores del Cotransportador de Sodio-Glucosa 2 , Humanos , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicaciones , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Inhibidores del Cotransportador de Sodio-Glucosa 2/efectos adversos , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/tratamiento farmacológico , Glucosa , Sodio , Volumen Sistólico
5.
Curr Heart Fail Rep ; 20(4): 280-286, 2023 08.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37552356

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: A majority of clinical decisions use the electronic health record (EHR) and there is an unmet need to use its capability to help providers to make evidence-based decisions that improve care for heart failure patients. These electronic nudges are rooted in the human psychology of decision-making and often target specific cognitive biases. This review outlines the development of novel EHR nudges and specific lessons learned from each experience to inform the development of future interventions. RECENT FINDINGS: There have been several randomized clinical trials examining the impact of EHR alerts on quality of care for heart failure patients. These interventions have targeted both clinicians and patients. There are features of each trial that inform best practices and future directions for EHR nudges. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that some EHR alerts can improve care for heart failure patients. These trials utilized default options, involved clinicians in the alert design process, provided actionable recommendations, and aimed to minimize disruptions to typical workflow. Alerts aimed at improving care should be examined in a randomized fashion in order to evaluate their impact on clinician satisfaction and patient care.


Asunto(s)
Registros Electrónicos de Salud , Insuficiencia Cardíaca , Humanos , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/terapia , Mejoramiento de la Calidad
6.
Am Heart J ; 243: 87-91, 2022 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34571040

RESUMEN

We conducted a retrospective study using the NIS database from 2008 to 2018 to examine the most contemporary national hospitalization trends of transcatheter (TAVR) and surgical (SAVR) aortic valve replacement regarding volume, patient and hospital demographics and economics, resource utilization, total cost of stay, and in-hospital mortality. We demonstrate that TAVR procedures have been performed on a slow by steadily diversifying patient population while volume has grown significantly, while in-hospital mortality, length of stay, discharge home, and costs have improved, whereas these metrics have generally remained stable for SAVR. These trends will likely drive continued TAVR adoption, greatly expanding the overall aortic stenosis patient population eligible for AVR.


Asunto(s)
Estenosis de la Válvula Aórtica , Implantación de Prótesis de Válvulas Cardíacas , Reemplazo de la Válvula Aórtica Transcatéter , Válvula Aórtica/cirugía , Implantación de Prótesis de Válvulas Cardíacas/métodos , Mortalidad Hospitalaria , Humanos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Resultado del Tratamiento , Estados Unidos/epidemiología
7.
J Card Fail ; 28(2): 171-180, 2022 02.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34534665

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a major driver of health care costs in the United States and is increasing in prevalence. There is a paucity of contemporary data examining trends among hospitalizations for HF that specifically compare HF with reduced or preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF or HFpEF, respectively). METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the National Inpatient Sample, we identified 11,692,995 hospitalizations due to HF. Hospitalizations increased from 1,060,540 in 2008 to 1,270,360 in 2018. Over time, the median age of patients hospitalized because of HF decreased from 76.0 to 73.0 years (P < 0.001). There were increases in the proportions of Black patients (18.4% in 2008 to 21.2% in 2018) and of Hispanic patients (7.1% in 2008 to 9.0% in 2018; P < 0.001, all). Over the study period, we saw an increase in comorbid diabetes, sleep apnea and obesity (P < 0.001, all) in the entire cohort with HF as well as in the HFrEF and HFpEF subgroups. Persons admitted because of HFpEF were more likely to be white and older compared to admissions because of HFrEF and also had lower costs. Inpatient mortality decreased from 2008 to 2018 for overall HF (3.3% to 2.6%) and HFpEF (2.4% to 2.1%; P < 0.001, all) but was stable for HFrEF (2.8%, both years). Hospital costs, adjusted for inflation, decreased in all 3 groups across the study period, whereas length of stay was relatively stable over time for all groups. CONCLUSIONS: The volume of patients hospitalized due to HF has increased over time and across subgroups of ejection fraction. The demographics of HF, HFrEF and HFpEF have become more diverse over time, and hospital inpatient costs have decreased, regardless of HF type. Inpatient mortality rates improved for overall HF and HFpEF admissions but remained stable for HFrEF admissions.


Asunto(s)
Insuficiencia Cardíaca , Comorbilidad , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/diagnóstico , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/epidemiología , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/terapia , Hospitalización , Humanos , Pronóstico , Volumen Sistólico , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Función Ventricular Izquierda
8.
Palliat Med ; 36(1): 71-80, 2022 Jan.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34633250

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Standard of care in treatment of cancer-related pain involves opioids in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Ketorolac, a NSAID, has demonstrated opioid-sparing effects in other clinical settings. AIM: This systematic literature review investigated ketorolac's opioid-sparing effects in patients receiving opioids for chronic, cancer-related pain. DESIGN: The primary outcome was total daily dose of opioids. Secondary outcomes included frequency of opioid use, use and frequency of 'rescue' medication and adverse events. Outcomes were described, and meta-analysed where possible. PROSPERO registration CRD42019130894. DATA SOURCES: Articles included original research, from any study phase or methodology, published in English in a peer-reviewed journal or conference between 1990 and 2020; included subjects >18 years; had chronic cancer-related pain and described the use of opioid-sparing effect of ketorolac. RESULTS: Nine articles were included. While there was significant heterogeneity, ketorolac may have an opioid-sparing effect, with significant reductions in total daily dose of morphine observed in a single randomised controlled trial (SMD -4.30 mg, 95% CI -5.36 to -3.25), but the changes in the before and after studies were not statistically significant -0.46 mg (95% CI -1.14 to 0.22). Ketorolac was associated with greater likelihood of complete pain relief, but the data were heterogeneous. Insufficient data were available to analyse frequency of opioid use, or rescue medication requirements. CONCLUSIONS: Given the heterogeneity of the data, adequately powered, randomised controlled trials are required to establish any opioid-sparing effect of ketorolac. For patients not responding to conventional pain management, ketorolac may have a role in treatment augmentation.


Asunto(s)
Dolor en Cáncer , Neoplasias , Analgésicos Opioides/uso terapéutico , Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos/uso terapéutico , Dolor en Cáncer/tratamiento farmacológico , Humanos , Ketorolaco/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias/complicaciones , Neoplasias/tratamiento farmacológico , Dolor Postoperatorio/inducido químicamente , Dolor Postoperatorio/tratamiento farmacológico , Cuidados Paliativos , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto
9.
JAMA ; 328(20): 2022-2032, 2022 11 22.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36413230

RESUMEN

Importance: Chronic breathlessness is common in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Regular, low-dose, extended-release morphine may relieve breathlessness, but evidence about its efficacy and dosing is needed. Objective: To determine the effect of different doses of extended-release morphine on worst breathlessness in people with COPD after 1 week of treatment. Design, Setting, and Participants: Multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial including people with COPD and chronic breathlessness (defined as a modified Medical Research Council score of 3 to 4) conducted at 20 centers in Australia. People were enrolled between September 1, 2016, and November 20, 2019, and followed up through December 26, 2019. Interventions: People were randomized 1:1:1 to 8 mg/d or 16 mg/d of oral extended-release morphine or placebo during week 1. At the start of weeks 2 and 3, people were randomized 1:1 to 8 mg/d of extended-release morphine, which was added to the prior week's dose, or placebo. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was change in the intensity of worst breathlessness on a numerical rating scale (score range, 0 [none] to 10 [being worst or most intense]) using the mean score at baseline (from days -3 to -1) to the mean score after week 1 of treatment (from days 5 to 7) in the 8 mg/d and 16 mg/d of extended-release morphine groups vs the placebo group. Secondary outcomes included change in daily step count measured using an actigraphy device from baseline (day -1) to the mean step count from week 3 (from days 19 to 21). Results: Among the 160 people randomized, 156 were included in the primary analyses (median age, 72 years [IQR, 67 to 78 years]; 48% were women) and 138 (88%) completed treatment at week 1 (48 in the 8 mg/d of morphine group, 43 in the 16 mg/d of morphine group, and 47 in the placebo group). The change in the intensity of worst breathlessness at week 1 was not significantly different between the 8 mg/d of morphine group and the placebo group (mean difference, -0.3 [95% CI, -0.9 to 0.4]) or between the 16 mg/d of morphine group and the placebo group (mean difference, -0.3 [95%, CI, -1.0 to 0.4]). At week 3, the secondary outcome of change in mean daily step count was not significantly different between the 8 mg/d of morphine group and the placebo group (mean difference, -1453 [95% CI, -3310 to 405]), between the 16 mg/d of morphine group and the placebo group (mean difference, -1312 [95% CI, -3220 to 596]), between the 24 mg/d of morphine group and the placebo group (mean difference, -692 [95% CI, -2553 to 1170]), or between the 32 mg/d of morphine group and the placebo group (mean difference, -1924 [95% CI, -47 699 to 921]). Conclusions and Relevance: Among people with COPD and severe chronic breathlessness, daily low-dose, extended-release morphine did not significantly reduce the intensity of worst breathlessness after 1 week of treatment. These findings do not support the use of these doses of extended-release morphine to relieve breathlessness. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02720822.


Asunto(s)
Disnea , Morfina , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica , Fármacos del Sistema Respiratorio , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Preparaciones de Acción Retardada/uso terapéutico , Método Doble Ciego , Disnea/tratamiento farmacológico , Disnea/etiología , Morfina/administración & dosificación , Morfina/uso terapéutico , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/complicaciones , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/tratamiento farmacológico , Fármacos del Sistema Respiratorio/administración & dosificación , Fármacos del Sistema Respiratorio/uso terapéutico , Enfermedad Crónica , Resultado del Tratamiento
10.
Nephrol Dial Transplant ; 36(6): 1023-1030, 2021 05 27.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33089321

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in pregnancy (Pr-AKI) is associated with substantial maternal morbidity and mortality. E-alerts are routinely used for detection of AKI in non-pregnant patients but their role in maternity care has not been explored. METHODS: All pregnant or postpartum women with AKI e-alerts for AKI Stages 1-3 (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria) were identified at a tertiary centre >2 years. Two women matched by delivery date for each case were selected as controls. AKI stage, recognition of AKI, pregnancy outcomes, renal recovery, AKI aetiology and risk factors were extracted from electronic patient records. RESULTS: 288 of 11 922 (2.4%) women had AKI e-alerts, of which only 118 (41%) were recognized by the obstetric team. Common Pr-AKI causes included infection (48%), pre-eclampsia (26%) and haemorrhage (25%), but no cause was identified in 15% of women. Renal function recovered in 213 (74%) women, but in 47 (17%) repeat testing was not undertaken and 28 (10%) did not recover function. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and Caesarean section were associated with increased incidence of Pr-AKI compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Pr-AKI e-alerts were identified in ∼1 in 40 pregnancies. However, a cause for Pr-AKI was not identified in many cases and e-alerts may have been triggered by gestational change in serum creatinine. Pregnancy-specific e-alert algorithms may be required. However, 1 in 10 women with Pr-AKI had not recovered kidney function on repeat testing. Better understanding of long-term impacts of Pr-AKI on pregnancy and renal outcomes is needed to inform relevant Pr-AKI e-alert thresholds.


Asunto(s)
Lesión Renal Aguda , Servicios de Salud Materna , Lesión Renal Aguda/diagnóstico , Lesión Renal Aguda/epidemiología , Lesión Renal Aguda/etiología , Cesárea , Creatinina , Femenino , Humanos , Embarazo , Resultado del Embarazo , Factores de Riesgo
11.
Thorax ; 75(1): 50-56, 2020 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31558624

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Morphine may decrease the intensity of chronic breathlessness but data from a large randomised controlled trial (RCT) are lacking. This first, large, parallel-group trial aimed to test the efficacy and safety of regular, low-dose, sustained-release (SR) morphine compared with placebo for chronic breathlessness. METHODS: Multisite (14 inpatient and outpatient cardiorespiratory and palliative care services in Australia), parallel-arm, double-blind RCT. Adults with chronic breathlessness (modified Medical Research Council≥2) were randomised to 20 mg daily oral SR morphine and laxative (intervention) or placebo and placebo laxative (control) for 7 days. Both groups could take ≤6 doses of 2.5 mg, 'as needed', immediate-release morphine (≤15 mg/24 hours) as required by the ethics review board. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in intensity of breathlessness now (0-100 mm visual analogue scale; two times per day diary) between groups. Secondary endpoints included: worst, best and average breathlessness; unpleasantness of breathlessness now, fatigue; quality of life; function; and harms. RESULTS: Analysed by intention-to-treat, 284 participants were randomised to morphine (n=145) or placebo (n=139). There was no difference between arms for the primary endpoint (mean difference -0.15 mm (95% CI -4.59 to 4.29; p=0.95)), nor secondary endpoints. The placebo group used more doses of oral morphine solution during the treatment period (mean 8.7 vs 5.8 doses; p=0.001). The morphine group had more constipation and nausea/vomiting. There were no cases of respiratory depression nor obtundation. CONCLUSION: No differences were observed between arms for breathlessness, but the intervention arm used less rescue immediate-release morphine. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12609000806268.


Asunto(s)
Analgésicos Opioides/administración & dosificación , Disnea/tratamiento farmacológico , Morfina/administración & dosificación , Administración Oral , Anciano , Australia , Enfermedad Crónica , Preparaciones de Acción Retardada , Método Doble Ciego , Disnea/fisiopatología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Calidad de Vida
12.
BMC Cancer ; 20(1): 1050, 2020 Oct 31.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33129304

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: This analysis aims to evaluate health-related quality of life (HrQoL) (primary outcome for this analysis), nausea and vomiting, and pain in patients with inoperable malignant bowel obstruction (IMBO) due to cancer or its treatments randomised to standardised therapies plus octreotide or placebo over a maximum of 72 h in a double-blind clinical trial. METHODS: Adults with IMBO and vomiting recruited through 12 services spanning inpatient, consultative and community settings in Australia were randomised to subcutaneous octreotide infusion or saline. HrQoL was measured at baseline and treatment cessation (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL). Mean within-group paired differences between baseline and post-treatment scores were analysed using Wilcoxon Signed Rank test and between group differences estimated using linear mixed models, adjusted for baseline score, sex, age, time, and study arm. RESULTS: One hundred six of the 112 randomised participants were included in the analysis (n = 52 octreotide, n = 54 placebo); 6 participants were excluded due to major protocol violations. Mean baseline HrQoL scores were low (octreotide 22.1, 95% CI 14.3, 29.9; placebo 31.5, 95% CI 22.3, 40.7). There was no statistically significant within-group improvement in the mean HrQoL scores in the octreotide (p = 0.21) or placebo groups (p = 0.78), although both groups reported reductions in mean nausea and vomiting (octreotide p < 0.01; placebo p = 0.02) and pain scores (octreotide p < 0.01; placebo p = 0.03). Although no statistically significant difference in changes in HrQoL scores between octreotide and placebo were seen, an adequately powered study is required to fully assess any differences in HrQoL scores. CONCLUSION: The HrQoL of patients with IMBO and vomiting is poor. Further research to formally evaluate the effects of standard therapies for IMBO is therefore warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12608000211369 (date registered 18/04/2008).


Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos Hormonales/uso terapéutico , Obstrucción Intestinal/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias/complicaciones , Octreótido/uso terapéutico , Calidad de Vida , Anciano , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Método Doble Ciego , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Obstrucción Intestinal/etiología , Obstrucción Intestinal/patología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neoplasias/patología , Pronóstico , Estudios Prospectivos
13.
Eur Respir J ; 53(1)2019 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30361250

RESUMEN

Does sertraline provide symptomatic relief for chronic breathlessness in people with advanced disease whose underlying cause(s) are optimally treated?223 participants with chronic breathlessness (modified Medical Research Council breathlessness scale ≥2) who had optimal treatment of underlying cause(s) were randomised 1:1 to sertraline 25-100 mg (titrated upwards over 9 days) or placebo for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the proportion who had an improvement in intensity of current breathlessness >15% from baseline on a 100-mm visual analogue scale.The proportion of people responding to sertraline was similar to placebo for current breathlessness on days 26-28 (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.71-1.40) and for other measures of breathlessness. Quality of life in the sertraline arm had a higher likelihood of improving than in the placebo arm over the 4 weeks (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.01-0.41; p=0.044). No differences in performance status, anxiety and depression, or survival were observed. Adverse event rates were similar between arms.Sertraline does not appear to provide any benefit over placebo in the symptomatic relief of chronic breathlessness in this patient population.


Asunto(s)
Disnea/tratamiento farmacológico , Inhibidores Selectivos de la Recaptación de Serotonina/administración & dosificación , Sertralina/administración & dosificación , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Enfermedad Crónica , Método Doble Ciego , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Calidad de Vida , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento , Escala Visual Analógica
16.
Environ Sci Technol ; 52(22): 13410-13420, 2018 11 20.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30365883

RESUMEN

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting Dehalococcoides mccartyi ( Dhc) biomarker genes supports effective management at sites impacted with chlorinated ethenes. To establish correlations between Dhc biomarker gene abundances and ethene formation (i.e., detoxification), 859 groundwater samples representing 62 sites undergoing monitored natural attenuation or enhanced remediation were analyzed. Dhc 16S rRNA genes and the vinyl chloride (VC) reductive dehalogenase genes bvcA and vcrA were detected in 88% and 61% of samples, respectively, from wells with ethene. Dhc 16S rRNA, bvcA, vcrA, and tceA (implicated in cometabolic reductive VC dechlorination) gene abundances all positively correlated with ethene formation. Significantly greater ethene concentrations were observed when Dhc 16S rRNA gene and VC RDase gene abundances exceeded 107 and 106 copies L-1, respectively, and when Dhc 16S rRNA- and bvcA + vcrA-to-total bacterial 16S rRNA gene ratios exceeded 0.1%. Dhc 16S rRNA gene-to- vcrA/ bvcA ratios near unity also indicated elevated ethene; however, no increased ethene was observed in 19 wells where vcrA and/or bvcA gene copy numbers exceeded Dhc cell numbers 10- to 10 000-fold. Approximately one-third of samples with detectable ethene lacked bvcA, vcrA, and tceA, suggesting that comprehensive understanding of VC detoxification biomarkers has not been achieved. Although the current biomarker suite is incomplete, the data analysis corroborates the value of the available Dhc DNA biomarkers for prognostic and diagnostic groundwater monitoring at sites impacted with chlorinated ethenes.


Asunto(s)
Chloroflexi , Cloruro de Vinilo , Biodegradación Ambiental , ADN Bacteriano , Etilenos , ARN Ribosómico 16S
17.
Support Care Cancer ; 26(11): 3749-3754, 2018 Nov.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29736868

RESUMEN

The assessment of constipation symptoms is based on history and physical examination. However, the experience is highly subjective perhaps explaining why palliative medicine doctors continue to use plain abdominal radiographs as part of routine assessment of constipation. Previous studies have demonstrated poor agreement between clinicians with this work in palliative care, limited further by disparity of clinicians' experience and training. The aim of this work was to explore whether there was less variation in the assessments of faecal shadowing made by more experienced clinicians compared to their less experienced colleagues. This pragmatic study was conducted across six palliative care services in Sydney (NSW, Australia). Doctors of varying clinical experience were asked to independently report their opinions of the amount of shadowing seen on 10 plain abdominal radiographs all taken from cancer patients who self-identified themselves as constipated. There were 46 doctors of varying clinical experience who participated including qualified specialists, doctors in specialist training and lastly, doctors in their second- and third post-graduate years. Poor agreement was seen between the faecal shadowing scores allocated by doctors of similar experience and training (Fleiss's kappa (FK): RMO 0.05; registrar 0.06; specialist 0.11). Further, when the levels of agreement between groups were considered, no statistically significant differences were observed. Although the doctors did not agree on the appearance of the film, the majority felt they were able to extrapolate patients' experiences from the radiograph's appearance. As it remains challenging in palliative care to objectively assess and diagnose constipation by history and imaging, uniform and objective assessment and diagnostic criteria are required. It is likely that any agreed criteria will include a combination of imaging and history. The results suggest the use of radiographs alone to diagnose and assess constipation in palliative care represents low value care.


Asunto(s)
Competencia Clínica , Estreñimiento/diagnóstico , Impactación Fecal/diagnóstico , Neoplasias/terapia , Cuidados Paliativos , Médicos , Radiografía Abdominal , Adulto , Australia/epidemiología , Competencia Clínica/normas , Competencia Clínica/estadística & datos numéricos , Estreñimiento/patología , Toma de Decisiones , Impactación Fecal/patología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neoplasias/complicaciones , Neoplasias/diagnóstico , Neoplasias/epidemiología , Cuidados Paliativos/estadística & datos numéricos , Médicos/normas , Médicos/estadística & datos numéricos , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/normas , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/estadística & datos numéricos , Película para Rayos X
18.
Palliat Med ; 32(8): 1363-1368, 2018 09.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29856291

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Translating research evidence into clinical practice often has a long lag time. AIM: To determine the impact of a phase III randomised controlled trial on palliative care clinicians' self-reported practice change. DESIGN: Online survey about use of octreotide in managing inoperable malignant bowel obstruction due to cancer or its treatments distributed in November 2016, 2 years after the first publication of the study in a peer-reviewed journal. Demographic, self-reported practice and the reasons underpinning this were collected. Responses were aggregated to 'practice modified' or 'practice not modified'. A multinomial regression model explored predictors of practice change. SETTING: Members of the Australian New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine. RESULTS: Response rate was 20.8% (106/509): 55.6% were aged >50 years, 56.5% were female and 77% had previously prescribed octreotide for this clinical indication. Out of 106 respondents, 52 (49.1%) indicated modified practice (60.9% of those who had previously prescribed octreotide in this setting). In those who reported practice change, most frequently octreotide was now used when other therapies failed; for not changing practice, 'more confirmatory evidence was needed' was most often cited. In the regression model, older age (clinician age = 50-59 years; relative risk = 0.147; 95% confidence interval = 0.024-0.918; p = 0.04) and having practices with lower proportions of people treated with octreotide (0%-20%; relative risk = 0.039; 95% confidence interval = 0.002-0.768; p = 0.033) predicted greater self-reported practice change. CONCLUSION: Clinician-reported change in practice in the survey is seen in the majority of respondents. This suggests that there is a cohort of 'early adopters' within palliative care practice as new evidence becomes available.


Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos Hormonales/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias Colorrectales/tratamiento farmacológico , Obstrucción Intestinal/tratamiento farmacológico , Octreótido/uso terapéutico , Oncólogos/estadística & datos numéricos , Cuidados Paliativos/métodos , Cuidados Paliativos/estadística & datos numéricos , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Australia , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Encuestas y Cuestionarios
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